Second Interim Statement on Accident involving Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited Sikorsky S76C++ with registration 5N-BQJ, at 77NM offshore, Lagos on the 3rd February 2016

On 3rd February 2016 at about 1025hrs, a Sikorsky S76C++ helicopter with registration 5N-BQJ, a domestic charter flight operated by Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited departed Lagos for ERHA FPSO Platform. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) plan was filed and Instrument Meteorological Conditions prevailed at the time.

At 1050hrs, 5N-BQJ was inbound Lagos from ERHA, maintaining an altitude of 3000ft with two crew and nine passengers on board. The First Officer was the Pilot Flying and the Captain was the Pilot Monitoring.

The aircraft ditched in the sea, 77NM offshore on radial 139. Visibility was above 5km. There was no fatality and the aircraft was destroyed as a result of being submerged in salty water.